On a brisk autumn day in central Nebraska, more than 50 people gathered, donning hardhats and looking to the sky, as they celebrated another step toward a transformational project.
On Nov. 30, signatures covering a steel beam noted the progress of the future cancer center in Kearney, Nebraska. In celebration of the construction, physicians, patients, project leaders and community members signed a beam that was placed over what will be the main entrance to the building.
“I know that this is an exciting day for you because you get to see the emergence of your new home,” said Nebraska Medicine CEO Jim Linder, MD, to the Heartland Hematology and Oncology colleagues in attendance.
One of the people signing their name on the beam was cancer survivor Judy Borden of Holdrege, Nebraska, who is glad to know the team that helped her now will be able to treat others in this new state-of-the-art center.
“This cancer journey has been a blessing, and I know a lot of people can’t say that,” Borden said. “I’m thankful that Dr. (Cynthia) Lewis had the foresight, the ability to see a facility like this to be built. The location is perfect, and I’m thankful that this facility is being built, and it’ll be amazing when it’s done.”
When it opens in 2024, the new cancer center will bring new care options to central Nebraska and build upon the years of excellent care provided at Heartland Hematology and Oncology, where Cynthia Lewis, MD, and Nick Hartl, MD, lead their teams.
For Dr. Lewis, the beam signing and raising signified more than just an event to celebrate construction progress.
“I’m kind of overwhelmed today,” an emotional Dr. Lewis said to the audience. “Our Heartland Hematology staff has been the foundation of what we’ve built over the last 20 years. And every single one of our team members put patients first, and we couldn’t have done any of this without them.
“Signing the beam represented the kind of foundation we’ve built. I’m so happy to be able to offer so much more to the community and the surrounding area.”
Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse echoed Dr. Lewis’ words about the impact this new facility will have on the community.
“We’re certainly proud of this facility and what it will do for our community,” Clouse said. “It continues to put Kearney on the map. Thank you, Nebraska Medicine, and everything that you do, and we appreciate the partnership.”
The $33 million cancer center project will span more than 53,000-square feet. Services will include medical oncology, radiation oncology, lab, pharmacy, infusion, survivorship programs, genetics counseling and a healing garden.
Construction began this past summer in University Village, a 104-acre, mixed-use development that is a partnership with the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Located next to the UNK campus, it combines educational, residential, recreational and commercial opportunities in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.